Sandusky hearing to focus on fairness of trial

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The judge who sentenced Jerry Sandusky to at least 30 years in prison is about to hear defense lawyers and prosecutors argue over whether the former Penn State assistant football coach got a fair trial.

The proceeding Thursday in Bellefonte includes a debate over whether Sandusky’s lawyers had enough time to prepare for the trial that resulted in a 45-count guilty verdict.

Sandusky says Judge John Cleland should have issued jury instructions about how long it took his victims to report abuse.

He’s also challenging hearsay testimony by a janitorial supervisor who told jurors that a co-worker had seen Sandusky raping a boy.

Advertisement

Sandusky is serving a 30- to 60-year state prison sentence, but maintains his innocence and is pursuing appeals.